West York Borough leaders have commenced the construction of a memorial to honor Officer Andrew Duarte, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. On Saturday (April 26), a tree planting and groundbreaking ceremony took place, marking two months since Officer Duarte's passing. He was killed during a shooting incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital in February, making him the first officer from the West York Borough Police Department to die in the line of duty.
Officer Duarte was responding to an active shooter situation at the hospital when he was shot and killed. The shooter had entered the ICU, taken hostages, and opened fire on officers. Despite attempts to negotiate, the situation escalated, resulting in a firefight during which Officer Duarte was struck. The shooter was ultimately killed, and two other officers and three hospital staff members were injured but are now in stable condition, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Officer Duarte had served with the West York Borough Police Department for over two years, having previously worked with the Denver Police Department for five years. He was recognized for his dedication to duty, receiving a hero award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2021 for his efforts in enforcing impaired driving laws in Colorado.
In addition to the memorial, a Police Heritage Museum exhibit in York Haven has been dedicated to Officer Duarte and other law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The exhibit has seen increased visitor numbers since Duarte's death, as people come to pay their respects and learn about the sacrifices made by local officers.